The graying of Swampscott

By Leigh Blanderswampscott@wickedlocal.com

Monday

Jan 7, 2019 at 5:25 PMJan 7, 2019 at 5:25 PM

Over the next 12 years, reports indicate the percent of local residents who are 60 years and older will jump from 25 percent to 33 percent, totaling nearly 5,000 seniors. To help prepare for this aging trend, the town has formed the Swampscott for All Ages Committee and is looking for members

For Ray Harris, the Swampscott Senior Center is an important part of his regular routine. A widower whose daughter died in the Iraq War nearly 12 years ago, Harris relies on the Senior Center to stay connected with friends and keep active.

“I’m here every day,” Harris said while sharing a lunch with buddies Barry Cushner and David Hatch.

The men are part of a growing senior population in Swampscott. Over the next 12 years, reports indicate the percent of local residents who are 60 years and older will jump from 25 percent to 33 percent, totaling nearly 5,000 seniors. To help prepare for this aging trend, the town has formed the Swampscott for All Ages Committee and is looking for members.

“Our goal is to make Swampscott an age-friendly community with walkable streets, housing and transportation options, access to key services, and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities," said Robert Powell, committee co-chair.

The committee is contracting with the University of Massachusetts Boston Gerontology Institute to study Swampscott’s aging population and present a report with proposals on how the town can best meet the needs of this graying demographic.

“It will take nine months from start to finish,” Powell said. “The work will include quantitative research like surveys sent out to residents and qualitative work with focus groups and interviews with stakeholders. We hope to have a public forum in February.”

Once the committee has the report, the town will prioritize the recommendations based on urgency and cost.

“We have a great need for transportation in the community - maybe a shuttle service that runs nine to five every day that can take seniors to the pharmacy, shopping center, and religious facilities. That could be part of a longer-term plan," said Powell. "There may be some short-term things we can do, like creating a pickleball court. We just don’t know yet what the priorities will be.”

Swampscott can do more for its seniors, according to Selectman Peter Spellios.

“This plan will create a road map for the town to follow to ensure that we implement more and better programs and improvements that specifically deal with the needs of our seniors,” he said.

This issue is especially relevant to Swampscott Fire Chief Kevin Breen, who is 63 and retiring in 2020. He has joined the Swampscott for All Ages Committee.

“The Swampscott elderly population is definitely growing,” Breen said. He hopes to stay in town after retiring.

“That’s the plan,” Breen said. “I’ve lived here most of my life. It’s a desirable place to stay.”

Staying in Swampscott is a key concern for Ray Harris and his friends, too.

“We need more low-income housing for seniors in town,” David Hatch said.

“Some of the assisted living places in town cost $6,000-$7,000 a month. I can’t afford that. What do I do when I run out of money?” asked Harris.

Sylvia Kantrowitz also visits the Senior Center a few times a week for exercise classes and lunch.

“I’d love the town to help seniors fix things in their homes, at a lower cost than a regular handyman. Just for little things,” she said. “Also, we’d like more cultural programs for seniors, maybe more concerts. The town really isn’t geared toward seniors.”

Marion Coombs, another Senior Center regular, suggested subsidized snow shoveling services for seniors, so they can stay in their homes longer.

Council on Aging Director Marilyn Hurwitz is excited about the new committee - she’s seen the senior population growing since she started at the COA in 2006.

“When I first started we were on Burrill Street," she said. "There were days when we might see six people come in. Now, we have 200-300 seniors on peak days.”

The Senior Center, located on the rear side of Swampscott High School on Essex Street, serves 1,000 people a year - many of whom come multiple days a week. The center runs 35 activities every week, from Zumba and Tai Chi classes to writing groups, bridge games, health and nutrition seminars, and intergenerational programs partnering elementary school kids with seniors.

Hurwitz says a main goal of the new study should be finding those seniors who don’t leave their homes.

“There’s an incredible amount of depression in seniors,” she said.

Anyone interested in joining the Swampscott for all Ages Committee should send a letter of interest to Ana Lanzilli, the Town Administrator’s Administrative Assistant, at alanzilli@town.swampscott.ma.us or by mail at Selectman’s Office, 22 Monument Ave., Swampscott, MA 01907.